Purpose

Promote research within functional genomics: by preserving and developing the infrastructure of technology platforms. The new WCN will continue to maintain and develop the infrastructure of technology platforms that has been built up by the support of the Wallenberg foundation in the old programme.

Spreading of knowledge: WCN plays an important role for competence and technology development, spreading knowledge and as a forum for courses and meetings. Valuable competence has been accumulated within the technology platforms, which should be kept and be developed.

To seek additional and new funding for functional genomic technologies: WCN initiates and coordinates applications for financial support of technologies and the infrastructure.

WCN works to increase the Swedish competitiveness internationally: Through WCN a new way of working has been introduced to the Swedish academia where important contacts between the universities have been established. By continuing to coordinate the infrastructure existing resources will be used more rationally.

Cooperation between disciplines: WCN works to enhance and increase the collaboration between different disciplines. Through WCN have valuable interactions and collaborations between researchers in different disciplines such as biologists, medical researchers, mathematicians and engineers started. These interactions needs to be promoted and developed to be able to solve todays and tomorrows problems within functional genomics.

Forum for information: With a common and active homepage, newsletters and e-mail lists WCN will be an important meeting point for information within functional genomics.

Enhancing international collaboration: From an international point of view the Sweden and the Nordic countries are small, therefore it is important both continue to build and to create new collaborations internationally. The consortium makes it easier for international contacts with other networks and programmes within the area.

Resource for larger national research programs: The infrastructure of technology platforms is an important resource for the establishment of large scale research projects in Sweden.